Petes Lake Fire grows to over 3,000 acres, DCSO issues Level 2 ‘Be Set’ evacuation notice for Elk, Lava Lakes

(Update: Kapka Sno-Park closed for fire operations)

Fire spread to east, southeast, crossed Pacific Crest Trail

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The 3-week-old, lightning-sparked Petes Lake Fire on the Three Sisters Wilderness about 25 miles west of Bend has grown 10-fold since late last week, to over 3,000 acres, and and is now over 3,000 acres, but has not crossed the Cascades crest, fire officials said Monday.

Late Monday, officials said that Kapka Sno-Park was being closed to allow for fire operations.

Here's Monday morning's update on the fire:

Update on Petes Lake Fire

Central Oregon — The Petes Lake Fire burning in the Three Sisters Wilderness, 25 miles west of Bend, grew to 3,009 acres as of last night.

Due to forecast winds out of the northwest and sustained hot and dry conditions, the fire grew on the southeastern flank yesterday, crossing the Pacific Crest Trail north of the Goose Lake Trail. With winds out of the northwest again today, there is potential to see growth in the east/southeast flank today.

With this potential, firefighters will work on structure protection around Elk Lake and Lava Lake today. There is no imminent threat to the structures, but work is being done as a proactive, preventative measure. The completed shaded fuel break along the Cascades Lake Highway will also help as a preventative measure, should the fire move further in the direction of Elk Lake and Lava Lake.

A Type 1 Incident Management Team (Pacific Northwest Team 2) will take command of the fire tomorrow.

The lower Wanoga Sno-Park will be closed today to be used as a helipad as significant aviation resources will be deployed on the fire to slow the spread of the fire in the southeast flank. These resources include a Type 1 helicopter, two Type 2 helicopters, and one Type 3 helicopter.

The fire was ignited by lightning on August 25. The fire is burning in very hazardous conditions for firefighter safety and therefore a focus has been on using aviation resources on the fire.

Motorists should be aware of firefighter traffic along the Cascades Lake Highway as well as the movement of heavy equipment between Elk Lake and Lava Lake.   

Closures: Fire closures remain in place. Please click on the following link to access information about the closure: Deschutes National Forest - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov)

Evacuations: The Level 3 (Go Now) Evacuation Notice is still in place for all areas west of the Cascade Lakes Highway from the Lucky Lake Trailhead north to the Mirror Lake Trail. This includes the areas around Lucky Lake, Leech Lake, Doris Lake, Blow Lake and Mirror Lakes. Evacuation notices and updates can be found at: www.deschutes.org/emergency.   

Safety: The public can help firefighters by obeying trail closures and following all fire restrictions.

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Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Monday announcement on evacuation levels:

UPDATE:

Due to increased fire activity and fire spread to the east over the last few days, the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is issuing a Level 2 (Be Set) Evacuation notice for the areas around Elk and Lava Lakes.  

A Level 2 (Be Set) Evacuation notice is issued for the following areas:

Areas around Elk, Hosmer, Lava and Little Lava Lakes. This includes areas east of Cascade Lakes Hwy. from Blue Lagoon north to Quinn Meadows.

Level 2: Means “BE SET” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntary relocate to a shelter or with family and friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. This may be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.

The Level 3 (Go Now) Evacuation notice is still in place for the following areas:

All areas west of the Cascade Lakes Hwy. from the Lucky Lake Trailhead north to the Mirror Lake Trail. This includes the areas around Lucky Lake, Leech Lake, Doris Lake, Blow Lake and Mirror Lakes.

Level 3: Means “GO” evacuate now. Leave immediately! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuation immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. This will be the last notice you receive.

As conditions change, evacuation levels may change.  Please follow us on social media and check www.deschutes.org/emergency for up-to-date evacuation notices.